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TL;DR: Four suburban men from Atlanta, Ed, Lewis, Bobby and Drew, take a weekend canoe trip down the wild Cahulawassee River before it is dammed. Deep in the wilderness, two armed mountain men attack them. Lewis kills one, and the trip becomes a desperate fight for survival, forcing Ed to do things he never imagined.
Table of Contents
Deliverance at a Glance
| Author | James Dickey |
| First published | 1970 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want a tense, dark survival thriller |
Deliverance is the first novel of poet James Dickey, published in 1970. It is a gripping and disturbing story of men pushed to their limits. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes sexual assault, murder and violence.
Main Characters
- Ed Gentry: The narrator, an advertising executive.
- Lewis Medlock: A macho outdoorsman who organizes the trip.
- Bobby Trippe: A salesman who is assaulted.
- Drew Ballinger: A gentle guitarist with a strong conscience.
- The mountain men: Two armed men who attack the group.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The plan
Lewis convinces his friends to canoe down the Cahulawassee River before a dam floods the valley. Ed agrees reluctantly. Drew plays guitar with a local boy, and they enter the wilderness.
The attack
On the second day, Ed and Bobby are captured by two mountain men. Bobby is sexually assaulted. Lewis kills one attacker with an arrow, and the other escapes.
The decision
The men argue about what to do. Drew wants to go to the police, but Lewis convinces the others to bury the body and hide the crime, fearing the local people would not judge them fairly.
The gorge
In the rapids, Drew falls from the canoe, possibly shot, and dies. Lewis breaks his leg. Ed climbs the cliffs to find the surviving attacker, who is hunting them, and kills him with an arrow.
Aftermath
The survivors reach a town and lie to the authorities about what happened. The sheriff suspects something but lets them go. The valley is flooded by the dam, hiding the bodies. Ed returns home, changed and haunted.
5 Key Takeaways
- Civilization is a thin layer over survival instincts.
- People can do terrible things under pressure.
- Lies can protect but also haunt.
- Nature is beautiful and dangerous.
- Confronting fear can transform a person.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The wild can reveal who we really are.
- Survival can come at a moral cost.
- Some secrets are buried, but never forgotten.
Who Should Read Deliverance?
Read Deliverance if you enjoy intense survival thrillers and literary suspense. It suits adults only.
About James Dickey
James Dickey (1923–1997) was an American poet and novelist from Atlanta, Georgia. He served as a pilot in the Second World War and worked in advertising before becoming a celebrated poet, winning the National Book Award for poetry. Deliverance was his first novel. He also wrote the screenplay for the famous 1972 film and appeared in it as the sheriff.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Deliverance:
- Was hiding the body the right choice?
- How does Ed change during the trip?
- What does the river symbolize?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Deliverance is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Deliverance, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes, for mature readers. It is gripping and poetic, but contains disturbing violence.
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What to Read Next
- The River Why by David James Duncan: a story of a man and a river
- Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer: the dangers of wilderness
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding: civilization breaking down
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deliverance about?
Four men on a canoe trip are attacked and must fight to survive.
Who wrote it?
James Dickey, in 1970.
Is there a film?
Yes, the 1972 film with Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight.
What happens to Drew?
He dies in the river, possibly shot.
Why do they hide the body?
They fear they will not be judged fairly.
What age is it for?
Adults.
How long is it?
About 280 pages.
Where is it set?
In the mountains of north Georgia.
What is the famous film scene?
The “Dueling Banjos” guitar and banjo duet.
Who narrates?
Ed Gentry.
Who is Lewis?
The tough outdoorsman who organizes the trip and kills the first attacker.
What does Ed learn?
That he is capable of violence and survival he never imagined.
Who are the main characters in Deliverance?
The main characters are Ed Gentry, Lewis Medlock, Bobby Trippe, Drew Ballinger and the mountain men. Ed Gentry: The narrator, an advertising executive. Lewis Medlock: A macho outdoorsman who organizes the trip. Bobby Trippe: A salesman who is assaulted.
Is Deliverance worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a tense, dark survival thriller. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.